Arsenal handed Europa League semi-final boost – Reports

Diego Costa is under investigation for unpaid taxes during his first spell with Atletico Madrid back in 2014.

The Mirror write that a boot deal with Adidas is the cause of the problems. Costa allegedly received £347,000 (€400,000) in un-taxed income as a result of the deal.

According to the report, the confusion came about because of Costa’s move to Chelsea that summer. The boot deal lasted a year, but authorities in Spain say that because he was in their country for half of that year, he should’ve declared half of the income in that period.

We’ve been getting these unpaid tax stories relating to La Liga players regularly in recent years. Normally it doesn’t lead to anything more than a financial settlement and a short jail term they’ll never serve.

Unfortunately, the punishment isn’t usually given in the form of two-match suspensions in the Europa League. Arsenal of course face Costa’s side in the semi-final of the competition later this month.

It seems like the Brazilian, who loved a goal against Arsene Wenger’s side with Chelsea, will return from injury in time as well. He has six goals and five assists in 18 matches since his move, including two goal contributions in his three Europa League knockout appearances so far.